Students will work in groups of 4 or 5 to develop a research proposal to solve a specific objective set out by the food, supplement, or drink producer. Students develop hypotheses, perform a literature review, devise an experimental plan, and then execute experiments followed by data analyses, all the while being supported with expertise from faculty supervisors and the research facilities of the school.

Prior to starting their experiments, students will develop and submit a budget that has been approved by their industry sponsor.

This project will run over two semesters:

• In the first semester of the course students will become acquainted with their company and faculty supervisors and submit a proposal report that is accompanied by an oral presentation.
• During the second semester students will execute their experimental plans leading to a final written report and oral presentation of their results.

Past examples have included:

• Different pre-treatments of the cacao bean in order to lower the amount of acetic acid (bad for chocolate) to find out which would be the fastest and least expensive
• Starch gelatinization affects on the staling of bread
• How fermentation temperature affects a specific grape in order to produce the highest quality of wine